Novus Orbis - Fred Weasley x f!reader

Chapter 11 - Stupid, Stupid Gits

Hello there to anyone reading! I am so sorry I didn't publish last week, had to push through writer's block. Here's your latest chapter, hopefully back on schedule and back to our regular length.

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"Fred," Y/n says, pushing his chest. "Wake up. Listen."

Whoops and hollers are coming from outside the castle, and they rush to the window to see Harry, Hermione and another long-haired figure all piled atop Buckbeak, flying over turrets and underneath the bridges.

"Who is that?" Fred whispers, his head poking out from Y/n's shoulder.

"Sirius Black," comes the reply. "I'm sure of it."

His face comes into view, confirming her guess as they watch him laugh along with Harry. Hermione is clearly enjoying the experience less so, letting out a long scream before the beast takes them down and out of view.

"Buckbeak—Buckbeak died," Y/n says, her eyebrows furrowing. "We saw it. How on earth are they flying on his back right now?"

"Is it another hippogriff, maybe?"

"No, that's definitely him."

A moment later, Buckbeak is seen once again flying up into the clouds with only Sirius on his back.

"I think we'd better talk to Hermione," Y/n says after a moment. "I think she knows a lot more than she's been letting on."

"For now–" And Fred once more leads Y/n to the couches, where he lays her down and leaves, coming back a moment later with a blanket that he drapes over and tucks underneath her. "Lay down. We haven't slept all night."

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to meet up with George. We've got our weekly appointment of putting Dungbombs in Filch's office." He laughs when Y/n lazily reaches for his hand to attempt to pull him back.

"Without me?"

"You have to sleep. Go back to your dorm if you need to, okay?" She feels him ruffle her hair before his footsteps grow distant as he leaves the room. Rolling over and stuffing her cold face in the crook of the cushions, Y/n tries to get her rest before having to head to breakfast.

-

"Y/n, thank you for coming to my office so early."

Professor Lupin greets her warmly as she enters the room, looking around at the room and watching as he stuffs belongings into his briefcase on the desk.

"Why are you packing, Sir?" Y/n asks.

"To put it short and sweet," he explains, "I've been sacked. On account of being a were-wolf." He pauses and looks at her. "I figure you knew, smart girl."

"Did-did Snape...?"

"Sure did," the man says. The bags under his eyes look especially dark, and his voice is groggy and exhausted. "In fact, he went straight to the Ministry. They've implemented some new rules." He sighs. "Essentially, it's going to be virtually impossible for me, or any other were-wolf for that matter, to get a job, now or ever. Unless a more kind and competent Minister is appointed."

Y/n messes with a trinket on the desk.

"I was going to talk to you, a couple months ago," she says. "Snape stopped me. Said you were preoccupied. Had me follow him to his office and talk to him instead."

If he is bothered or concerned by this at all, Lupin hides it very well. He walks around the desk, placing a warm hand on her shoulder.

"You didn't tell him much, did you?" He says calmly.